Research summary
Achieving fair and inclusive health systems is essential to realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. But in many countries, access to health care is still influenced by inequitable financing, such as out-of-pocket payments, and by decision-making that overlooks how gender, income, race, education and other social factors affect people’s experiences. Dr. Beverley Essue, Canada Research Chair in Economics for Global Health Systems Equity, is tackling these challenges by rethinking the evidence, measures and frameworks that define “value” in health systems.
She is bringing together researchers, communities and decision-makers to co-develop evidence and guidance for embedding equity and social justice in health policies and investments. She and her research team are drawing on intersectionality frameworks to identify and address the structural factors that deepen vulnerability, particularly among historically marginalized populations. Their research aims to ensure health systems deliver not just efficiency, but equity and justice for all.